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Customer Reviews (4)

Eagle Blue: A Team, A Tribe, and A Basketball Season in Arctic Alaska
I highly recopmmend this book to people curious about life in the Arctic.It provides interesting social and historical commentary as well as expressing the environmental concerns of many natives.Although centered around basketball, one does not have to be a bball fan to find this book insightful.

A very good story
This book is a very real look at Fort Yukon and all that makes it an 'interesting' place to work!

Good mix of culture, hoops, and history yet some issues
Eagle Blue provided great insight into the game of basketball within the small towns of Alaska,specifically among native american communities. The author did an outstanding job of combining culture, hoops, and history within the story. This book also included some interesting political questions regarding government subsidies,drilling for oil, and information on the state and people of Alaska.
As a whole I loved the first half of the book but was somewhat disappointed in the sportswriting done by D'Orso. His basketball descriptions left a great deal to be desired. As an example the author uses players numbers to describe the action, for instance; #12 comes back with a three, or #13 with a floater. On a personal note I also have a problem when an adult writer spends time with high school students who are engaging in illegal activities, drinking /smoking. Much like my similiar feelings with the author ofFall Rivers Dream.
However, that being said a good read with many wonderful insights.

Cold weather, hot basketball
This book gave a very good feel for the state of Alaska and the diverse issues facing native people in remote villages while being very appealing to the sports enthusiast.Mike D'Orso made me feel like I was an active participant and I could feel the visceral energy of the whole cast as the Fort Yukon Eagles fought their way to the finish of the basketball season. ... Read more

Product Description
Written by the students of Nenana City Public Schools in Nenana, Alaska, this book contains personal essays that range from growing up in the cities of Alaska all the way to living in the Bush.There are tales about Hairy Men, descriptions of Stickdance, scenes from Fish Camp, mushing dogs down the treacherous trails, and the adventures of using snowmachines in the frigid winter weather. The essays are honest and heartfelt from students who have lived and experienced Alaska.The authors themselves are very diversified, as some have been in the state a handful of years, while others have had ancestors here since the beginning of recorded history.Each composition demonstrates a different view of a land that has been stereotyped and fictionalized by Hollywood and by paperback writers. If you want to know the truth about living up north, look no further.Alaskan Stories by a Little School Up North is your book! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

True feelings
This book takes you through moments in the life of teenagers living in a world that many of us will never understand.You will laugh, cry and just enjoy every step through this book.Some will come to have a better understanding to life inAlaska and others will realize they may have been tricked with an Alaskan joke if they were the tourist.Reading this book makes you proud of the education in Nenana, Alaska and very proud of the students being so willing to share their personal stories.
(Bradley, I am so PROUD of you!!)

Great Book!
I bought this book to learn about Alaska, and I sure did!The short essays were great - I had no idea that people live like that in Alaska.A must read! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (18)

Kayla
Eagle Blue was outstanding. The ways in which Michael D'Orso portrays the life of high school basketball players from Fort Yukon Alaska, and the affect of the basketball team on the community, seems like he actually lived the story. From traveling by plane to away games, to living in a 'bush city' where drug abuse, alcoholism, and fighting is all too common among the players, D'Orso makes the reader feel as if they are living in the town with this amazing team. Coach Dave is a popular man in town who helps the boys learn to play basketball, and stay on a good, healthy, life path. He is not only the coach for a team which everyone in town looks to for spirit, but he demonstrates to the reader the way of life that people live by in a town like Fort Yukon, Alaska. The end of the book is very surprising. I couldn't put it down. If you're a sports fan who's looking for a page-turning book, I highly recommend Eagle Blue.

A Compelling Sports Novel by D'Orso
Eagle Blue is a compelling and suspenseful novel by Michael D'Orso, as he follows the season of fourteen high school athletes in artic Alaska. The author uses many excellent sensory details to describe the journey, from the first practice, to the last play-off game. He gives the reader the ability to travel with the team as they compete in gyms around the ice-capped state.
D'Orso keeps the reader very informed regarding the emotions and intentions of each character through his brief, yet in depth,interview process. I, as a reader enjoyed this technique, because it provided me with evidence regarding the reality of the plot line, and allowed me to better understand each character. However, I did not care for the way he notes all the character's family connections and relatives' thoughts. I found them extremely uneventful and bland.
The author does an excellent job in building the suspense of each game. He analyzes each moment, play by play through the triumphs and setbacks of the Eagles' many competitive encounters. He brings out the true feeling of the game with his writing, particularly when talking about the loss and evindent disapointment in the final play off game. These analyzations are his greatest skill as an author, and I found that the games were often my favorite parts of the novel.
The end of the novel was very disapointing because of the outcome of the last game, but it did wrap up all the odd ends, so to speak, and left me with no lingering questions. The ending, however, was my least favorite part because of the intense sadness and regret the whole team feels. I, as a basketball player, was able to relate to these feelings, and I had hoped that Fort Yukon would not have to face them.
Overall, Eagle Blue was an amazing and eventful read, and I would reccomend it to all sports fans.

One of the best basketball books I've read...and then some
Any sports fan who picks up "Eagle Blue" will not be disappointed, although you should like this one even if you could care less about hoops...Basketball is the stage for the story, but not the story in and of itself.This isn't your typical book depicting some world-weary NBA star or jaded coach.D'Orso makes you care about the players and coaches at a tiny school literally in the middle of nowhere, thus their wins (and losses) somehow become your own.If that were as far as this book took you, it would be satisfying just on that basis.But it doesn't end there.

By the time you're done reading "Eagle Blue", you'll likely become sympathetic with the people populating its pages.Theirs is a culture that has been decimated, and you can see very real defeat among many tribal members.The ultimate story is how a group of teenagers galvanizes a town with nothing else to cheer about despite the efforts of some people, mostly outsiders, to kill what they have, and he thankfully keeps the focus on that.You end up rooting for them.

If you're at all like me (and God help you if you are), you'll fight to stay awake until 3AM because you literally do not want to put this book down and fall aleep.

Boldly honest perspective of Native life in modern Arctic Alaska
Boldly honest, "insiders" perspective from an outsider. Interesting insight into modern Native life in Arctic Alaska.

D'Orso's honest, unembellished presentation of everyday life for the characters - team members and townspeople of Fort Yukon - allows the reader to gain an open true look at what everyday life entails in this part of Alaska. It brings out the difficulties of living in the outposts of Arctic Alaska, Native vs. modern culture, politics vs. the land/natural resources/hunting/etc., and of course the tale of a group of young men and women representing their town as members of high school basketball teams.The pressures faced by these young men as individuals, family members, and town members and how each deals with it and grows shows a great view of life as it unfolds for them.Their daily lives are woven around the story of the basketball team and the course of a season sharing the success and adversity over the course of the year.A wonderful mix of human interest and basketball.

Highly enjoyable read.

Alaskan Basketball
This review of a basketball team's season is about an entire culture and about life.You'll be rooting on the Eagle Blue as you read this true story. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
Everybody has some remote connection to fame. In this hilarious little volume, Mr. Whitekeys and the visitors to his famous Fly-By-Night Club in Anchorage serve up real people's oh-so-bizarre brushes with celebrity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Lower 48 Beware!
As a former resident of Anchorage and a regular at Mr. Whitekeys' Fly by Night Club, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoy his books, CDs, etc. and used to laugh hysterically at the shows in his club.However, much of his humor is Alaskan in nature and those who have never been to or spent much time in The Last Frontier may not really quite understand some of the humor.Just as an FYI!

Elvis Presley's Pharmacist, etc
Mr Whitekeys is a big man in a small town. His Fly by Night Club in Anchorage puts on the best shows in town. His CD, It Ain't Easy Being Sleazy, pokes fun at Jewel in a hilarious way. Buy his book, buy his CDs.He's a talent Hollywood needs to discover! ... Read more

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From Outrageous to Inspired shows how all the people associated with any school--teachers, principal, parents, children, neighbors, and other community members--can take up leadership together to create a vibrant learning community. David Hagstrom promotes new ways of thinking about parental participation, neighborhood involvement, and teacher leadership in schools. In From Outrageous to Inspired he offers a guidebook for school leaders who are engaged in a journey of school improvement and community building. The book is filled with stories and reflections from Hagstrom’s transformative experience as the principal of Denali Elementary School in Fairbanks, Alaska. As principal of the school he asked the question “What do you want for your children, here at Denali?” These extraordinary stories offer a framework for creatively bringing about change from within an organization and for dealing with the larger issues of school change and reform. ... Read more

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Thunder on the Tundra recounts the story of the most unusual high school football team in the United States, the Barrow Whalers. This human-interest sports story is so remarkable that it has been featured on ABC News Nightline, ESPN, YouTube, news and sports Web sites, and print publications throughout the nation.

The Whalers are the only football team above the Arctic Circle: 330 north to be exact, a place with no grass, no trees, and plenty of permafrost. Of the 44 Eskimo, Tongan, Samoan, Asian-American, African-American and Caucasian teenagers who signed up for this experiment, only four had ever played organized football before. Seasoned journalist Lew Freedman captures this inspiring story. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

thunder on the tundra
this book is pretty good. these boys have a lot of heart and love for the game. i know most of the boys in the book and they are good kids. everyone should read this, these boys are great.

Football In Alaska
This is a quick read about a High School in Alaska.Barrow decides to start up a football team.Interesting story about the coach and players.I enjoyed the game descriptions the best.

Thunder on the Tundra
I liked the book. I liked the background information. In the event, you have been to Barrow, it is a vivid recount of the life in Barrow. It captures the outlook of the elders of Barrow and their heritage.

The global warming part leaves me cold. The mention of Al Gore leaves me more frost bitten an any game the Whalers play.

My grandson was part of the team. If I overlook the parts about global warming, I would rate the book a 6 star.

It is a book I will keep and revisit. Fran Tate and Joe add a new prescriptive to Barrow, The Bower's restaurant (just outside the rib arch) serves the best oriental food money can buy.

The price is right for a look at the Barrow Whalers. Don't ask them about global warming when there is 2 feet of snow on the field in May 2008.

The Heart of the Matter
I am a lover of all things arctic, so I picked this up. I was pleasantly surprised at the cultural relevance of this strory. Hats off to Lew Friedman for capturing the magnificent Alaskan Arctic and its Inupiat people in such beautiful detail.

However, that isn't why I am raving about this book. It is such an inspirational, moving portrait of boys and high school football...and winning and losing...and character building...and teamwork

and the reason the game is played. You will laugh out loud, you will cheer, you will cry....

I hope they make a movie!

Go Whalers!!!! ... Read more

Product Description
An intimate and utterly moving story of a dedicated teacher, a supportive community---and a group of children who refuse to let the prospect of death disrupt their classmate's schooling.

Elaine Moore, a veteran teacher in Eagle River, Alaska, is a firm believer that the classroom is, first and foremost, a community and that learning is best when shared in a circle of peers. When one of her students, ten-year-old Seamus Farrell, is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Elaine and her innovative methods are put to their most severe test. Elaine's Circle is a heart-wrenching look a the remarkable achievements of a dedicated teacher and a group of children who take her at her word when she tells them, "Learning is not just something we do in school. It is something we do until the day we die." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Well-Written
I really loved this book. Yes, it was sad, but it was so well-written and compassionate that the underlying story was not about death, but life, and how his illness affected a community, and how one person can become an everyday hero and role model. As one reviewer said: "The story is so well written, before you know it the book is done and your life is changed forever." I totally agree.

An incredible experience
This was an excellent book.It was well written, and a fabulous story.We should all take a lesson from how the children rallied around their friend and classmate!This book greatly emphasizes the power of friendship!

A book you won't forget...ever
The story is so well writen, before you know it the book is done and your life is changed forever.Elaine's Circle tells the story of a phenomenal teacher who handled the terminal illness of a student with grace, honesty and true insight into how a childs mind works. Kudo's to all involved!

A story of love
one of the most endearing stories ever.A MUST on the reading list of compassionate people. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Dog Racers
Susan Butcher is a sled dog racer.She was born the after Christmas in 1954.Her dad's name is Charlie and her mom's name is Agnes.She had a sister named Kate.when Susan was 15, Kate moved out.Susan's aunt gave her a big husky.Her mom didn';t want two dogs in the house so Susan took off with them.She met a woman who trained sled dogs so shed helped Susan train.She learned how to control a sled.She started entering races.I liked this book because it was interesting and cool. ... Read more

Product Description
This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's large-scale digitization efforts. The Library seeks to preserve the intellectual content of items in a manner that facilitates and promotes a variety of uses. The digital reformatting process results in an electronic version of the original text that can be both accessed online and used to create new print copies. The Library also understands and values the usefulness of print and makes reprints available to the public whenever possible. This book and hundreds of thousands of others can be found in the HathiTrust, an archive of the digitized collections of many great research libraries. For access to the University of Michigan Library's digital collections, please see http://www.lib.umich.edu and for information about the HathiTrust, please visit http://www.hathitrust.org ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR), published by Thomson Gale on November 23, 2007. The length of the article is 694 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Beavers using embarrassing loss in Alaska as fuel.(Basketball College)(OSU hopes its loss to a Division II school helps provide motivation)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication: The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR) (Newspaper)
Date: November 23, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: C30

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Northern Review, published by Northern Review on January 1, 2008. The length of the article is 5949 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Counsellor training via distance education: opportunities for rural Alaskan communities.(General Articles)(Report)
Author: Christine R. Cook
Publication: Northern Review (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2008
Publisher: Northern Review
Issue: 28Page: 230(16)

Article Type: Report

Distributed by Gale, a part of Cengage Learning ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Cities of the United States, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 470 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.Provides a wide range of hard-to-locate data to answer questions concerning American cities. Includes thorough coverage of the area's largest or fastest-growing cities, or those with a particular historical, political, industrial or commercial significance. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Cities of the United States, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 718 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.Provides a wide range of hard-to-locate data to answer questions concerning American cities. Includes thorough coverage of the area's largest or fastest-growing cities, or those with a particular historical, political, industrial or commercial significance. ... Read more